Graphophone-record-duplicating machine.



No. 670, 44 2. Patented Mar. 26, 190i.

0. 8. TAINTER- GBAPHOPHONE RECORD DUPLIGATING MACHINE.

A nmion filed Aug. 16, 12396;. (No Model.) ll Sheets-Sheet l.

1 Norms FVETERS cu. PHOTO-L\THD-. WASHINGTON D4 No. 670,442. PatentedMar. 26, 190i.

0. S. TAINTER. GRAPl-IOPHONE RECORD DUPLICATING MACHINE.

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No. 670,442. Patented Mar. 26, I90l. c. s. TAiNTER. GRAPHOPHONE RECORDDUPLICA'TING MACHINE.

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(Application filed Aug. 16. 1898.) (No Model.)

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m3. 670,442. Patented Mar. 26, IBM.

'c.fs. TAINTEB. GBAPHOPHONE RECORD DUPLIG'ATING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 16,.1B98J 1w: nouns mini c0. moron-ma, wumnmu,n, c.

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GRAPI'IDPHONE RECORD DUPLICATING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 16, 1898.) I (No Model.) ll Sheets- Sheet 6.

71 117 .5 .s as; .4 M Q I g ,No. 670,442.- Patented Mar. 26, l90l,

, c. s. TAI NTER. GRAPHUPHUNE RECORD DUPLICATING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 16, 1898.) I (No Model.) ll Sheets-Sheet 7.

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No. 670,442. I Patented Mar. 26, 190:. 0. s. TAINTER.

GRAPl-IOPHDNE RECORD. DUPLICATING MACHBIE.

I (Application filed Aug. 16, 1898.) (No Model.) ll Sheets-Shut 8.

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No. 670,442. Patented Mar. 26, 19m. 0. s. TAmT-En, GRAPHOPHONE RECORDDUPLICATING MACHINE.

a ucazio filed Aug. 16,1898.

' ll Sheets-Sheet 9 (No Model.)

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No. 670,442. Patented Mar. 26, 19m.

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GBAPHDPHUNEBECORD DUPLICATING MACHINE 7 (Application filed Aug. 16,1898.) (No Modgf.) ll Sheeis-$haet l0.

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(Application filed Aug. 16, 1898.) (No Model.)

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I .NNIIIIIIIIII Inrnonms PETERS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES SUMNER TAINTER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OE COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TOTHE AMERICAN GRAPHOPHONE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

GRAPHOPHONE-RECORD-DUPLICATING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Eatent No. 670,442, dated March 26,1901-. Application filed August 16, 1898. Serial No. 688,717. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES SUMNER TAINTER, of Washington, District ofColumbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machines forDuplicating Graphophonic Som1d-Records,which improvement is fully setforth in the following specification.

My invention relates to the art of duplicating sound-records forgraphophones or talking-machines.

Most of the sound-records sold on the market at the present time are notthe original sound-records formed by the vibrations of a cutting-styleattached to a diaphragm upon which the sound-waves are caused toimpinge, but are copies or duplicates of the records thus originallymade by the direct action of the sound-waves. In the manufacture of suchduplicates an original sound-record is first formed by causing thesound-waves to be recorded to impinge upon a vibrating diaphragm bearinga cutting-style whose point is embedded in the surface of a suitablerecording-tablet. A record thus formed by the direct actionof thesound-waves is known in the art as an original sound-record. Thisoriginal record and a blank tablet are then mounted to revolve parallelto each other, and a follower with a fine blunt edge is caused to trackin the record-groove and is connect- .ed by a suitable lever to acutting-style whose point is embedded in the blank tablet. The bluntedge of the follower in the original sound-record rubs over the bottomof the undulatory groove constituting such record, and thus impressesupon the cutting-style whose point is embedded in the blank tabletvibrational movements exactly corresponding to the waves or undulationsin the groove constituting the original sound-record, thereby causingthe cutting-style to duplicate in the blank tablet the undulating grooveof the original. sound'record which is in every way as perfect a recordof the original sound-waves as is the original sound-record itself andone which may be and is used to reproduce the original sound-waves inconjunction with a reproducer on a graphophone exactly as is There isthus produced a duplicatedone with the original record. The duplicatemay itself also be used as a master in the production of additionalduplicates. This method of causing a sound-record, whether original orduplicate, to impress vibrational movements corresponding to therecorded sound-Waves upon a cutting-tool or graver in contact with arecord-tablet was patented to me in United States Patent No. 341,287,granted May 4, 1886, and an improved duplicating-machine operating inaccordance with said method is shown in United States Patent toMacdonald, No. 559,806. Such machines are efficient in operation andproduce accurate and satisfactory duplicate soundrecords; but as theycan make but one duplicate at a time it is necessary where a largenumber of duplicate records are tobe made to employ a large number ofduplicating-machines and workmen for operating the same.

The object of my present invention is to provide a duplicating-machinewhich shall be capable of simultaneously making a plurality of duplicatesound-records from a single mastor-record, thereby rendering it possibleto largely increase the production of a factory over that obtained bythe machines nowin use and without any corresponding increase in thenumber of machines or in the operatives therefor. I

To this end my invention, broadly stated,

consists in meansfor simultaneously revolving a master-record and aplurality of blank tablets arranged in proximity thereto, each blanktablet having a cutting style or point embedded in its surface, whichpoint is connected by a vibratory lever to a rubbing-style tracking inthe record-groove of themasterl The invention further consists inmechanism for duplicating in a plurality of blank cylindrical tabletsarranged in a vertical position a sound-record on or in a master-tablet,also operating in a vertical'position, in

which mechanism a series of-rubbing-styles tracking in the record-grooveof the master are connected to cutting-styles embedded in the blanktablets, the rubbing and cutting styles being yieldingly held in theirproper operative positions by gravity or equivalent spring action,whereby errors due to irregularities in the surfaces of the tablets areavoided.

The invention also consists in certain details of construction whichwill be hereinafter fully described and then pointed out in the claims.

I have illustrated one form which my invention may assume in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of myduplicating-machine, parts being removed. Fig. 2 is a vertical section,parts being in elevation. Fig. 3 is-a top plan with some of thetransferringlevers omitted. Fig. 3 is a broken detail showing means foroiling the driving-pulley shafts. Fig. 4 is a top plan of thesteadying-block. Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5 5, Fig. 4-.Fig. 6 is a vertical section showing the connections for driving thescrewshaft. Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the bed-plate. Fig. 8 is avertical section thereof. Fig. 9 is a top plan showing the means forremoving the tablets from the mandrels. Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectionon the line 10 10, Fig. 2, looking upward. Fig. 11 is a vertical sectionof one of the mandrel-supporting columns. Fig. 12 is a top plan of thecarriage-plate. Fig. 13 is a sectional detail showing the means foractuating the carriage from the feed-screw. Fig. 14: is a plan of thesupport for the transferring-levers. Fig. 15 shows a plan and sideelevation of a ring for removing tablets from the mandrels. Fig. 16 is aview of the spider which supports the carriage, showing its connectionto the screw-shaft. Fig. 17 is a bottom view of the same. Fig. 18 is aside elevation showing the cam-ring and cooperating parts for removingtablets from the mandrels. Fig. 19 is a horizontal section on line 1%)19, Fig. 2, looking downward. Fig. 20 is an enlarged top plan of thecarriage, some of the transferring devices being shown in position andothers being removed. Fig. 20 is a partial vertical sect-ion thereof.Fig. 21 is a side elevation of the swinging block supporting the leverconnecting the rubbing and cutting styles,which block, together with allthe parts supported thereby, is for convenience of description hereinreferred to as a transferring device. Fig. 22 is an edge view of Fig.2l,and Fig. 23 is a vertical section thereof. Fig. 24 is aplan view ofthe transferring-lever and the rubbing and cutting styles connectedthereby. Fig. 25 is a plan of the bottom part of the swinging block, andFigs. 26, 27, and 28 are views in section and plan of bottom pieces forthe columns hereinafter referred to.

Referring to the drawings, A is a bed-plate mounted upon hollowstandards or supports B, the lower ends of which are properly spaced bya three-armed spider 0, having openings 0 formed in the arms, throughwhich openings the hollow standards B pass and in which they are securedby set-screws c, as shown.

The bed-plate A has centrally formed therethrough an opening a, andaround this opening Ct are a plurality of similar openings (1. I haveshown six such openings a; but more or less than six may be employed, ifdesired, and while it is preferable to arrange these openingssymmetrically around the central opening a this is not absolutelynecessary. In the central opening a through the bed plate is secured avertical column I), and in each of the openings a similar columns .1)project both above and below the beil'plate and are secured in place bymeans of screws (o passing downward through the bed-plate and engagingcircumferential flanges (1 upon the columns D D, which flanges [it anannular recess formed on the under side of the bed-plate A. The columnsD D are shouldered, as shown at d, (see Fig. 11,) and have a centralbore (P, which bore is expanded below the bed-plate A into the circularchamber (1 having interior screw-threads (1 out near the lower endthereof. This chamber (1 is closed by a bottom piece d Figs. 2 and 6,having its upper surface preferably somewhat dished, and upon thisdished surface rests a shaft E of column D, which passes up through thebore 61 in the column and has bearing-surfaces e e in contact with thesurface of the bore, but is cut away between its ends to reducefriction.

On the upper projecting ends of the shaft E is secured a hollow mandrelF, which extends downward around the column, the mandrel preferablytapering slightly from its lower to its upper end and being at its'openlower end nearly flush with the shoulder 11.

On the lower end of the shaft E is a gear e, secured in place by thesleeve 6 which is forced up against the gear 6 by a binding-n ut on theend of the shaft, as shown.

Each of the columns D has a shaft E, to which is secured a mandrel Fonits upper end and a gear a on its lower end, the shafts E, mandrels F,and gears 6 being in every respect like the shaft E, mandrel F, and gear0' and all the shafts E except one resting upon dished bottom piecesexactly similar to bottom piece (Z in column D. In the single case wherethe shaft E is not supported by the dished bottom piece this piece hasan opening'c formed therein, through which a conically-pointed shaft Eprojects, its conical point entering a centering depression 6 on thelower end of the shaft E. (See Fig. 6.) The shafts E and E are coupledso as to turn together by a sleeve E, which is connected to the shaft Epreferably by a driving fit of the parts, the other end of the sleevefitting loosely over the nut and sleeve 6 on the shaft Eand having anopen-ended slot a, into which projects a radial pin e on the sleeve 6This construction enables the parts to be readily assembled by drivingthe sleeve E onto the shaft E and then slipping the sleeve and end ofthe shaft through the opening (1" in bottom piece (F, with the end ofsleeve E surrounding sleeve e and the pin e entering second belt Gpasses around the band Gand the slot 6 while the conical point of theshaft E enters the centering depression 6 in the lower end of shaft E.The shaft E is passed through an opening in one arm of the spider 0, itslower end resting in a bearing-block O, secured to the under side of thespider. A recess a is cut in the upper surface of the bearing-block, atthe inner end thereof, and a pinion c is secured on the end of shaft Eand revolves in the recess 0 piece closing the chamber d of the centralcolumn D has a socket (1 formed on the lower side thereof, and the upperend of a tube E fits snugly in said socket and has its lower end securedby a set-screw in an opening at the center of the spider O. The tube Ehas a slot e Fig. 2, extending throughout its length, and in each end issecured a collar or ring affording bearings for a screw-threaded shaft Erevolving within the slotted tube E. On the reduced lower end of thescrew-shaft E, which projects below the spider O, is secured the pinione which is geared through the idler e to the pinion e on the shaft EBeneath the bed-plate A is a thick block F Figs. 4, 5, and 19, havingopenings ff therein,which enable it to be slipped up over the ends ofthe columns D D, which project below the bed-plate, the block F beingsecured in place by means of set-screws), Fig. 2, passing inward fromthe perimeter of the block against the columns D. The openings ff in theblock F are formed with great exactness both as to size and position, asit is a part of their office to exactly center the columns D D and holdthem so as to avoid any vibration of the mandrels supporting the tablets and also to insure the perfectly-accurate working of the gearingconnecting the several shafts E with the central shaft E, Fig. 19, itbeing desirable to'avoid any backlash or other play between the partsthat would interfere with perfect uniformity in the operation of theseven mandrels.

Holes f are formed in the block F intermediate the center of theopeningfand the several openings f, and a shaftf is inserted from aboveinto each hole f shoulders f on the shafts resting upon the uppersurface of the block F and supporting the shafts. Upon the projectingupper ends of the shafts f are secured pinionsf each of whichintermeshes with and forms a driving connection between the gear 6' inthe shaft E and one of the respective gears e on one of the shafts E.(See Figs. 2, 3*, and 19.) Each of the shaftsf projects below the blockF and carries a driving pulleyf suitably secured thereto. It will beunderstood thatthe six pulleysf are thus symmetrically arranged aroundthe central column D, and each is arranged to drive a shaft which isgeared to the central shaft E and one of the shafts E. The pulleysf aresurrounded by a closely-fitting band or belt G,

Fig. 10, preferably of elastic material, and a The bottom thence to anysuitable source of power.

The operation of the device as thus far described is as follows: Powerbeing applied to the belt G it is communicated through the belt G to thepulleys f the latter belt serving to distribute the strain with greatevenness, to the end that the gears f may act with perfect uniformity,and since the central gear 8' on the shaft E is connected to each of theequal gears e on the shafts E it follows that the central mandral F andits surrounding six mandrels F will all be smoothly and evenly driven atthe same speed, and the shaft E being coupled to one of the shafts E,turns with it and drives the screw-shaft E through the gears on the endof said shafts and the idler a", connecting them.

Surrounding the slotted tube E is a sleeve H, Figs. 1, 2, 13, and 17, towhich is adjustably attached a spider H, having horizontally-extendingarms h. The sleeve H has a vertical slot h, Fig. 13, cut in one side,and opposite said slot it there is secured to the sleeve a block 7L2,having a recess k cut therein, within which rests a pair of nut-sections71. united at their outer extremities and having a spring-pressed pin77. entering an extension of the recess h The block W is located in avertical slot it, cut in one of the arms h of the spider H, and acam-ring b surrounds the sleeve H and passes between the nut-sections h,a lever 7L being provided for shifting the cam. The nut is held at alltimes against the cam-ring by the spring pressing on the pin h thenut-sections extending through the slot h in the sleeve H and the slot ein the tube E When the cam-ring is in the position shown in Fig. 13, thenut-sections engage the screw-shaft E revolving within the stationarytube E, being held in engagement by the spring, thereby causing thesleeve H to advance longitudinally along the tube E and carrying with itthe spider H; but when the cam-ring is shifted it throws the nut outagainst the tension of the spring, and thereby disengages the nut fromthe shaft.

I, Figs. 2 and 12, isacircular plate having the central opening t' andsix marginal openings i, each of which is of a size to slip freely overthe tablets borne by the mandrels F F. Six slots 1' are cut in theplate, one between each of the openings 2' and the central opening 2',and form when thus'arranged a regular hexagon around the opening 7;. Theplate I is located above thebed-plate A and has at tached to it threerods I, forming legs,which pass down loosely through the bed-plate A,but outside of the block F and rest with their shouldered ends i insockets h in the ends of the arms h of the spider H.

1 Figs. 3, 14, and 20, is a hexagonal plate having its center removed,so as to form an opening corresponding to the central opening t' inplate I, and having notches t" formed in its periphery. This plate I issupported on pillars i (preferably six in number,) attached to the upperside of the plate I, and bears six upwardly-projecting pointed standards1", each of which is secured thereto near one end of a notch t, as shownin Fig. 14. The sleeve II, spider H, plates I and I together with theirconnecting parts, constitute a vertically1noving carriage, and thiscarriage, with the parts supported thereby, is counterbalanced byweights 1), attached to cords or chains 1), passing over pulleys bPassing upward through each of the slots t in the plate I is a block K,Figs. 1, 20, and 21, hung to swing on the pointed standards i. There aresix of such blocks K, and as they are all identical in construction adescription of one will suflice for all. On the upper end of the blockis a horizontally-projecting arm 7c, in which is secured a piece ofhardened steel 71:, with a depression 7& forming a bearing-surface forthe tempered point i of the standard 2'. Extending from the side of thebloclc opposite the bearing-arm 7.; is a lug k on which is a pin and 70is a weight or weights having a bore therethrough in order that it maybe slipped on over the pin 7;. A vertically-adj ustable bearing-point 70(preferably of hardened steel) is secured in a lower arm 7a of the blockK, which arm projects horizontally beneath the plate I .letween thebearing-point k and a similar point k on a bottom piece 70 attached tothe block K, is a block or hub 7a which turns freely on a substantiallyvertical axis. The lower arm 70 of the block K is cut away, as shown, sothat the hub 70 turns in a recess thus formed and supports a lever whichis hung on a horizontal axis to the hub 70 The lever 71; has openings 70near its opposite ends, through which legs L on the block K freely pass,so that the lever 70 may turn to a limited extent on its horizontal axisR or with the block 71: on its vertical axis. That end of the lever 70which extends out under the weight k is broadened into projecting pointsor arms 70 and 7.9 A rubbing-style 75 is secured in the arm 7t, and acuttingstyle a" is fastened to the arm 70 as clearly shown in Figs. 20and 24:, that end of the lever 70 supporting the styles being slightlyheavier than the opposite end, so that if left free to turn about itshorizontal axis the stylebearing end of the lever It would be depressed.A pin 70 fits loosely in the arm 7t" and has a small weight M on itsupper screwthreaded end, the pin 70 extending down through the arm k andbearing on that end of the lever 7r. opposite the styles. The mass ofthe weight 70 is sufficient to overbalance the lever 7r; but byadjusting the weightk on the pin 73 it may be caused to bear upon thatend of the lever 70 opposite the styles until the lever becomeshorizontal, at which point the Weight 76 is taken by the upper fac'e ofthe arm k of the block K. By this means the lever It is held yieldinglyin a horicrease zontal position, while the end bearing the rubbing andcutting styles is left free to move so as to accurately follow therecord-groove in the master-record or respond to inequalities in thetablets.

Referring now to Fig. 20, the lever L is so proportioned and the rubbingand cutting styles so positioned thereon that the styles each come incontact with their respective tablets at the point Where a line drawnthrough the vertical axis of the lever 70 is tangent to the tablet, theresult being that the vibrations of both the rubbing and the cuttingstyles are substantially on radial lines of their respective cylinders,which is the direction along which said vibrations should occur for theproduction of the best results. By reason of the pendulum-like action ofthe block K the styles automatically find their proper position and areheld to their work by the weight 70 the mass of which is adjusted to anicety to the end that it may yield sulficiently to allow the styles toconform to irregularities in the contour of the tablets and at the sametime effectively prevent the styles from leaving the surfaces of thetablets. By thus mounting the style supporting and controlling lever sothat it is free to turn about a universal joint and holding it to itswork by the action of gravity I give to it all the sensitiveness andaccuracy, when acting in conjunction with vertically-disposed tablets,that the well-known floating or gravity recorders and reprod ucers ofthe graphophone possess when acting to record or reproduce a record on ahorizontally-disposed tablet.

In action the carriage bearing the rubbing and cutting styles, asdescribed, is placed in its lowermost position and is elevated by thefeed-screw E at the same time that the mandrels are revolved. The resultis that the records are cut in aspiral line starting at the bottom andending at the top, so that when the records are completed the carriage,with its transferring-blocks and their supported styles, is at the top.In order to remove the records, it is necessary that the carriage bedepressed, and before this is done it is essential that the styles beshifted so that they will not come in contact with the records d uringthe downward movement of the carriage. For this purpose a ring I ismounted on the plate I and is preferably of equal diameter therewith.This ring I bears with its inner circumference on loosely-turningrollers i secured to the plate I in position to center the ring Ithereon. Slots 71 are cut in the ring I and screw-pins i are passedtherethrough into the plate I, so that the ring I has a limited circularmovement upon the plate I. Secured to the ring I are six spring-arms '6extending inward from the ring to the pendulo us blocks K. When thestyles are in operation, the inner ends of the arms t' are adjacent tobut not quite in contact with that edge of the respective blocks K whichis opposite to the styles, (see Figs. 3 and 20,) and by shifting thering I from left to right the spring-arms will simultaneously strikeupon and swing the pendulous blocks K to the right, and thus throw allthe rubbing and cutting styles out of contact with their respectivetablets. The lower ends of the blocks K are shaped as shown in Fig. 25,and when the blocks are hanging in operative position said lower endstogether form a nearly-closed regular hexagon; but as the movements ofthe blocks under the action of the spring-arms are simultaneous they donot in the swinging movement above described interfere with each other.The blocks being swung aside, the carriage may be lowered without dangerof injury to the records from the styles, and the records being removedand new tablets placed on the mandrels the styles may be returned totheir active positions by shifting the ring I from right to left, theweights Z5 promptly throwing the styles in contact with their respectivetablets.

In order that the tablets may be readily removed from the mandrels, Iprovide a means whereby they may be raised and, because of theslightly-conical form of the mandrels, loosened, thereby placing themwhere they may be readily grasped by the lingers and lifted from themachine. I provide the block F with a flange f and resting upon thisflange and turning freely around the block is a cam-ring L, havingformed in its upper edge cam-surfaces Z. There are three suchcamsurfaces shown, each extending from its lowermost point to the top ofthe ring L, where they run into flat surfaces Z Normally resting uponsaid flat surfaces is a plate L, having lugs Z on its under side andresting in the cams Z. The plate L is perforated to allow the lowertubular portions of the columns D D to pass therethrough,but isotherwise a solid plate. (See Fig. 9.) Any suitable handle Z is attachedto the cam-ring, whereby it may be given about a one-third revolution,which causes the lugs Z to travel up the inclines or cams Z and restupon the flat surface at the top of the cam-ring, thereby raising theplate L through a distance equal to the rise of the cams Z. Surroundingthe base of each one of the columns D D and resting on the bed-plate Ais a ring or collar M, Fig. 1, dotted lines, and Figs. 2, 3, l5, and 18,whose internal diameter but slightly exceeds the external diameter ofthe mandrel on the columns, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. This ring M hasa horizontally-extending base or flange m, in the form of a regularhexagon, so proportioned that when the several rings M are in placearound the columns D D the hexagonal flanges m meet and form, ineffect,-a complete and continuous flooring over all the space on thebed-plate between and around the columns, as is clearlyindicated indotted lines, Fig. 3. If desired, the flanges of the several rings mightbe united into one integral plate and the rings made separate therefromand allowed to rest loosely thereon.

Passing loosely through the bed-plate A and resting upon the plate Larea number of pins m, whose length is just sufficient to reach from thetop of the plate L when in its lowermost position to the top of thebed-plate A. These pins m are clearly shown in Fig. 18, where Thebed-plate A is omitted for the purpose of more clearly illustratingtheir op-.

eration and their relative distribution, whereby when the pins m areraised above the bedplate, as hereinafter described, they will pressequally against all the flanges m of the rings M, and thereby lift themevenly and smoothly from the bed-plate, as shown in Fig. 9. Referringnow to Figs. 1, 2, and 18 and assuming the parts to be in the positionshown in Fig. 2, with tablets on the mandrels and the cam-ring L shiftedto the right, with the plate L resting upon the flat surfaces Z and thelugs Z in the lowermost parts of the cams Z, it will be seen that theupper edges of the rings M are immediately beneath the lower ends of themandrels and that the pins m rest upon the plate L, with their endsflush with the top of the bed-plate A. If now one of the handles Z begrasped and the cam-ring L be shifted to the left, the lugs Z will rideup the inclines or cams Z, forcing up the plate L, which in turn raisesthe pins 'm', and through them the flanged rings M, which latter engagethe lower ends of the tablets and force them upward. The mandrels areslightly tapering toward the top, and the upward movement of the tabletsso loosens them that they may be readily removed. When the cam-ring isgiven its full throw to the left, it will have turned through nearlyonethird of a revolution, and the lugs Z will then rest upon the flatsurfaces Z at the top of the cam-ring, thereby securely retaining allthe parts in their elevated position while the tablets are beingrenewed, after which the camring is again shifted to the rightpreparatory to placing other tablets upon the mandrels.

The carriage supporting the pendulous levers K is guided in its,up-and-down movements by ears or lugs n, embracing uprights N, firmlysecured on the bed-plate A, and the weights bin the hollow standards Bare so proportioned that their combined mass is just sufficient tocounterbalance the carriage,with all its supported parts, to the endthat the work of the screw Ein elevating the carriage may be reduced tothe minimum. A further result of this construction is that the carriagewill remain stationary in any position in which it may be placed.

The parts of the mechanism needing lubricating are very few, and I haveprovided means whereby lubrication may be readily accomplished.Referring to Fig. 2, d is a small hole in column D, extending inwardfrom the surface of the column under the ring M and then downward tillit enters the chamber d just inside the wall of the chamber. Oilentering this hole 27 at the top passes down into the chamber d andalong the walls thereof to dished bottom (i Where it acts to lubricatethe bearing of the shaft E on said bottom. A similar means is providedfor oil ing all the shafts E, except the one shown to the left of Fig.2, where it is omitted, because in that instance the shaft does not restupon the dished bottom piece that passes therethrough. The lower bearing6 of the shafts E E is lubricated through a hole (i in a manner thatwill be readily understood.

In order to lubricate the shaft f of the driving-pulleys f, I pass asmall tube 2) down through the bed-plate A, which tube registers with alongitudinal bore 1), extending from the top of the shaftfdownward in avertical direction for a short distance and then outward to theperiphery of the shaft. By lifting the rings M the tube 1) may be filledwith oil, which will slowly find its way through the bore 1) to thebearings of the shaft f.

I have shown at T, Fig. 10, a means for tightening the belt G, whichwill be readily understood.

It will be understood that while I have specifically and in detaildescribed the best form known to me which my invention may asso me, Ihave done so only that the invention might be thoroughly understood andnot as indicating that the invention is limited to the specificconstruction shown, as the generic inventive idea may be embodied indiiferent specific mechanical forms, and all such are meant to beincluded by the terms of my claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a machine forduplicating sound-records the combination, with a tablet having a recordformed therein and a plurality of tablets for receiving records, of aplurality of followers rubbing over the record, and a plurality ofcutters each of which is movable with one of the followers, and each ofwhich is embedded in the surface of one of the blank tablets, andmechanism for revolving the tablets and causing the followers tosimultaneously follow the record and the cutters t0 simultaneously tracea spiral line upon the blank tablets, whereby a plurality of duplicatesound-records may be simultaneously formed from a single master-record,substantially as described.

2. In a machine for duplicating sound-records the combination of arevolving tablet having a sound-record therein, with a plurality ofrevolving blank tablets, a plurality of followers rubbing overtherecord, a plurality of cutters each of which is movable with one ofthe followers and each of which is also embedded in the surface of oneof the blank tablets, gravity-controlled devices yieldingly holding thefollowers and cutters in contact with the respective tablets, andmechanism for revolving the tablets and causing the followers tosimultaneously follow the record and the cutters to simultaneously tracea spiral line upon the blank tablets, whereby a plurality of duplicatesound-records may be simultaneously formed from a single master-record,substantially as described.

3. In a machine for duplicating sound-records, the combination of aplurality of vertically disposed revolving mandrels, one of which bearsa tablet having a sound-record formed therein and the others bearingblank. tablets with a cutter embedded in the surface of each blanktablet, and a corresponding number of followers simultaneously rubbingover the record of the record-tablet, the cutters being mounted topartake of all the movements of the followers, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a machine for duplicating sound-records the combination of aplurality of verticallydisposed revolving inandrels, one of which bearsa tablet having a sound-record formed therein and the others bearingblank tablets, with a cutter embedded in the surface of each blanktablet, a corresponding number of followers simultaneously rubbing overthe record of the recording-tablet, the cutters being mounted to partakeof all the movements of the followers, and gravity-controlled devicesyieldingly holding the followers and cutters in contact with therespective tablets.

5. The combination with a sound-record formed in a vertically-disposedtablet, of a vertically-disposed blank tablet, a gravitycontrolledfollower rubbing over the soundrecord, a cutter embedded in the surfaceof the blank tablet and movable with the follower, and means forrevolving the tablets and causing relative longitudinal movement betweenthe tablets on the one hand and the cutter and follower on the otherhand, substantially as described.

6. In a machine for duplicating soundrecords, the combination of avertically-disposed revolving master-record, and a plurality ofvertically-disposed revolving blank tablets, with a plurality offollowers, a plurality of cutters each one of which is movable with oneof the followers, and gravity-controlled devices holding the followersand cutters, yieldingly in contact with the master-record and blanktablets respectively, substantially as described.

7. In a machine for duplicating sound-records the combination of avertically-disposed mandrel bearing a master-record, a plurality ofvertically-disposed mandrels each bearing a blank tablet and eachindependently geared to the mandrel bearing the master-record, with avertically'moving carriage bearing a plurality of followers and a likenumber of cutters each of which is movable with one of the followers,and a plurality of gravity-controlled devices each of which holds asingle follower and its coacting cutter yieldingly in contact with themaster-record and with one of the blank tablets respectively,substantially as described.

8. In a machine for duplicating sound-records, a master-record, aplurality of blank tablets, and a plurality of pendulous lovers, eachlever supporting a follower in contact with the record and a cutter incontact with one of the blank tablets, whereby a plurality of duplicatesound-records may be simult-ane-' ously form ed from a singlemaster-record,substantially as described.

9. In a machine for duplicating sound-records a master-record, aplurality of blank tablets, a plurality of pendulous levers, each leversupporting a follower in contact with the record and a cutter in contactwith one of the blank tablets, and means for simultaneously throwing allthe followers and cutters out of contact with the record and tablets,substantially as described.

10. In a machine for duplicating sound-records, a vertically-disposedmaster-record, a plurality of blank tablets, a plurality of pend ulouslevers, each lever supporting a follower in contact with the record anda cutter in contact with one of the blank tablets, and averticallymovable carriage supporting said pendulous levers,substantially as described.

11. In a machine forduplicating sound-records, a central,vertically-disposed mandrel, a plurality of mand rels surrounding saidcentral mandrel and each geared thereto, combined with a screw-shaft, avertically-movable carriage, a lever supported upon said carriage andcapable of movement about a universal joint, a follower and a cuttereach attached to said lever, and nut-sections connecting said carriageto said screw-shaft, substantially as described.

12. In a machine for duplicating sound-rec- 1 ords, avertically-disposed mandrel carrying a sound-record, a plurality ofverticallyadisposed mandrels each having a blank tablet, avertically-movable, counterpoised carriage supporting a plurality offollowers in contactv with the record, a plurality of cutters eachmovable with a follower and each in contact with a blank tablet, andmeans for revolving all the mandrels and giving translatory motion tothe carriage, substantially as described.

13. In a machine for duplicating sound-records, a vertically-disposedpendulous lever, a follower connected by a universal joint thereto, anda cutter movable with said follower, substantially as described.

14:. In a machine for duplicating sound-records, a pendulous lever, ablock attached thereto and turning on a vertical axis, a lever supportedby said block to turn on a horizontal axis, and a follower and cutterconnected to said last-mentioned lever, substantially as described.

15. In a machine for duplicating sound rooords, a bed-plate, suitablesupports therefor, vertically-disposed columns mounted in openings so asto project above and below said bed-plate, shafts taking bearing in saidcolumns and projecting therefrom above and below, mandrels secured tothe upper ends of said shafts and gears to the lower ends thereof, andmeans connecting all the gears to a common source of power, whereby themandrels are all simultaneously revolved, substantially as described.

16. The combination of a plurality of shaftsupporting columns mounted ona bed-plate with a centering and steadying block supported by saidcolumns, substantially as described.

17. The combination of a plurality of mandrels for carryingrecord-tablets, a series of rings or collars capable of longitudinalmovement along said mandrels, a cam-ring, and devices interposed betweenthe same and said rings or collars, whereby the turning of the cam-ringwill produce the longitudinal movement of the rings or collars,substantially as described.

18. In a machine for duplicating sound-records, a plurality of mandrelssupporting a sound-record and a plurality of blank tablets, a pluralityof pendulous levers supporting a plurality of followers in contact withthe sound-record and a plurality of cutters one in contact with eachblank tablet, a plurality of arms one in proximity to each pendulouslever, and an adjustable support common to all the arms, whereby saidarms maybe thrown into contact with the pendulous levers and swing thesame so as to carry the followers and cutters out of contact with therecord and blank tablets, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES SUMNER TAINTER.

Witnesses:

E. T. RooKwooD, WM. R. MILLER.

